Rhemalogy

In 1984, Tina Turner made a comeback with the Album Private Dancer. Which had a hit on it entitled What’s Love Got To Do With It? And I suggest to you that if you want to make a comeback from your backslidden state or from being lost in the poppy fields of life; it is love that has everything to do with it.

Recently I heard a sermon about love. The pastor expounded on how we constantly use this word with presumptuous connotations. People say, “I love you” every day be it to their spouses, children, relatives, friends and even other parishioners.

But the lingering question is, do we really understand the gravity of such a small, yet, powerful little word? The specific love I am referring to is Agape love. Agape (Ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agapē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, “the highest form of love, charity” and “the love of God for man and of man for God”. This type of love supersedes all logically defined love as man can conceive. Ken Boa says, “Divine love (Agape) originates from God Himself and is able to radically transform relationships.”

What’s love got to do with it?

I John 4:8 states, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 

John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus further spoke: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) He did not put stipulations on this commandment. He did not say love just one particular race, socio-economic group, or just those who wrote big checks. No, he said to “love one another.” That is all-inclusive all people; everyone, everywhere.

Even as Christians, some of us have misconstrued the idea of being blessed with big houses in exclusive neighborhoods, expensive cars, designer clothes, and hefty bank accounts. And only want to bless those who we deem worthy. Not realizing, that if it wasn’t for the grace of God, on our lives; we could be in the same position as those we turn our noses up or look the other way. No, he died for us all. Thus blessing us all. Therefore, we all must love everyone despite their shortcomings. No matter what they may appear to be to us. Is it not written; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)

Again, this scripture points back to the love of God through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

What’s love got to do with it?

When you love you forgive, and when you forgive, you are forgiven.

Peter writes, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8) When you love you forgive, and when you forgive you are forgiven. Because the true love of God keeps no records of our wrongdoings. As far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

Finally, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13-17) Do you love like Christ or are you just speaking empty words? Because love is an action word.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)

So you see, love has everything to do with it. And it is not just a secondhand emotion. But love is God. And if we reflect this love in our lives. When looking in a mirror we won’t see ourselves, but the light of our God’s love within us. Then we will know we are on the right path to our spiritual comeback.

Happy Valentines Day! Thank you for your continued readership and support. Until next week…Blessings and Peace!

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